Shields went agonisingly close to doubling their lead when a Foley effort was parried by Stone to Gavin Cogdon, but he smashed the ball against the bar from close range and a second follow-up from Finnigan also struck the woodwork.

The Mariners won a corner, though, and from it they did score their second as Morse met a Gillies corner with a terrific run and header which found the bottom corner.

Cogdon claimed he got a touch on the way through, and the debate over the goalscorer continues among the Shields ranks.

Finnigan went closest to making it three when his flicked effort was cleared off the line, while Lancaster almost claimed a consolation late on, but Robert Wilson’s sweet strike hit the outside of the post.

It was another solid win for Shields as they climbed to the top of the league ahead of Saturday’s trip to Matlock Town.